Surveyor expelled over speed fines scam

A SURVEYOR who spun an elaborate web of lies to escape two speeding fines has been kicked out of the society that governs his profession. Stewart Bromley and his wife Cathryn invented a phantom driver from Bulgaria who they claimed had been driving the car.

Stewart Bromley and his wife Cathryn were given é60 fines when their Mercedes was spotted speeding near their home in Hyde.

But they invented a phantom driver from Bulgaria who they claimed had been driving the car.

Now the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has expelled Mr Bromley and ordered him to pay é9,300 costs for tending and intending to pervert the course of justice. It follows a disciplinary board hearing and a failed appeal.

Postcard

The couple had been caught speeding twice by a fixed camera in Dukinfield Road, Hyde, in January 2005.

But they claimed the car had been driven by Konstantin Koscov, a fomer employee of Bromley Associates - where Mr Bromley works - who had returned to his native Bulgaria.

Mrs Bromley even flew to Bulgaria to send a postcard pretending to be from Mr Koscov.

It read: "Many thanks for the opportunity to work in your office.

"I enjoyed the experience and would gladly return the favor unfortunately my car is nowhere as good as yours, but it will get you about. Many thanks again and look forward to my next trip, Regards, Konstantin Koscov."

Notice

Investigating officer Pc Mark Beales contacted Interpol and the British Embassy in Sofia to track down the driver. The couple, of Moss Lane, Broadbottom, admitted making up the story when the man could not be found.

At the hearing, Mr Bromley was ordered to pay é4,191 costs and for a notice to be put in a newspaper.

An appeal board upheld the decision of the disciplinary board and ordered him to pay é5,135 costs.

A statement from the institution said: "The disciplinary board found proved one charge based on Mr Bromley's admission.

"It expelled him from membership of the institution for conduct unbefitting a member, following a conviction of doing a series of acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice."

Guilty

In October, the couple were fined é9,200 and é1,900 costs at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice.

Judge Lever said: "The best place to hit people like these is in their pockets.

"Had they not pleaded guilty, I would have almost certainly sent them to prison."

Pc Beales said after the court case: "It was a very elaborate and dishonest attempt to escape paying a speeding fine.